Fitzpatrick scale Copy

Fitzpatrick skin typing is a way of classifying skin types with specific reference to the risk of sunburn and skin cancer.

Sun exposure can also cause sunburn and skin ageing.

The Fitzpatrick skin type system can help predict who is at risk of sunburn by categorizing skin according to how much melanin is present.

Skin with very little melanin has little protection from the sun’s UV rays and is likely to burn quickly. When the skin burns, it increases the risk of skin cancer.

Melanin is a dark brown pigment present in hair, skin, and the irises of the eyes. The more melanin a person has, the darker their skin, hair, and eyes will be, and the more likely it is that their skin will tan rather than burn.

Remember that these descriptions are only a guide. A person’s skin type may not fit neatly into one category. For example, an individual’s skin may appear pale, but the person may tan rather than burning in the sun.

It is important to use this during micropigmentation treatments because-

• the depth/thickness of the skin can differ. Type 1 being the thinnest and most prone to redness and sensitivity. Type 6 being the thickest. If pigment is not applied at the right depth then there could be more reactions and unwanted results.
• Higher Fitzpatricks are more prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and keloid scarring so may not be suitable.
• Tones found in the skin will be an identifying factor when selecting a pigment to use. Types ½ will usually have more pink/cool tones to the skin while 3+ will have more warmer yellow tones.
• Pigment reacts with the melanin found in the skin. The higher up the fitzpatrick scale the client goes the more melanin they will have. When a pigment is implanted into the skin, it interacts with 30% of the melanin to get the final colour; this is why the same pigment sets differently in every person.